Many scientific studies have attempted to quantify and make sense of the fact that despite the many gains made by women towards gender equality, the income inequality of women (when compared to men) is still quite prevalent in the United States.

The earning inequality for women is generally undisputed. However, the income inequality facing women is sometimes oversimplified and confused by the often quoted "women earn 76 cents for every dollar a man makes," which is a typical statement used when discussing the inequality of women in business. This statistic makes it seem as though women consistently earn less pay than men for the exact same work performed.

What the statistic fails to take into account is that:

1. Women tend to come in and out of the workforce far more often than men do.

2. Women tend to intentionally choose lower-paying jobs than men do. Fields such as teaching and nursing, which are relatively low-paying jobs considering the education required for the work, continue to be dominated by women.

3. Women work fewer paid hours on average.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose a career that pays what you're worth to help decrease earning inequality for women

Many fields that women tend to choose are in lower paying industries that may have more income inequality; women can try to decrease income inequality by looking for a job that is higher paying on average.

I recommend: Careers that pay well include medicine, law, engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, pharmacy, and business. In these fields, the income gap between men and women tends to be negligible. CareerOneStop has more information on highly compensated career fields. Forbes also offers insight on many high-paying careers, most of which have a smaller gap in pay between men and women.

Don't shy away from dangerous or typically male-dominated jobs that may offer women equality

Jobs that include an element of danger often come with high compensation and are typically filled by men. However, that does not mean every employer will not consider women for these careers. Women embracing careers that men typically dominate could definitely help the women inequality issue.

I recommend: Bodyguards, search and rescue teams, firefighters, even truck drivers are all jobs that pay fairly well relative to the education required. Income inequality for women in these cases relates to the fact that women tend not to seek out these jobs. CNN offers a look at the careers that include the highest elements of danger, nearly all of them are fields dominated by men. Suite 101.com offers a look at several occupations where the risk of serious injury or death is just part of the job description.

Obtain a college education or relevant training to avoid men-women equality issues

Some studies show that among jobs that require a college degree, the gender pay gap tends to be less. The inequality of female versus male professionals possessing above a bachelor's degree has an even smaller gap.

I recommend: This ERIC Digest article offers some useful advice on the earning power of a higher education. This Indiana Business Review study shows graphs to indicate how earning potential increases through education, and specifically looks at the issue as it relates to gender.

Inequality and women in business; have a plan to manage motherhood and your career

Many experts agree that because women tend to be the primary caregivers of children in our society they tend to choose to work fewer hours and they enter and exit the workforce more often than men do. This is usually due to the time demands of raising a family. Because men are less likely to be the primary caregivers for children, women equality in the workplace has suffered.

I recommend: The Atria Publishing Company book, Getting It Right: How Working Mothers Successfully Take Up the Challenge of Life, Family and Career offers tips on how to manage being a working mother with a successful career. This University of Virginia study offers a look at different timetables of motherhood that affect women's career paths.

Be willing to hit the road; women inequalities in income can be due to willingness to travel

Studies show that women are less likely than men to take on jobs that require a great deal of travel. Many jobs that include travel are highly compensated. A way to increase women equality in the workplace is for professional women to consider careers that warrant a lot of travel.

I recommend: This USA Today article highlights five great jobs that require a lot of travel. Four out of the five workers featured are men. This Impact Publications book has a fun approach to detailing many careers that include travel as part of their routine.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't be afraid to negotiate your salary and state what you are worth from the very first job interview. Women are less likely, when compared to men, to ask for the pay they want, but when they do ask, they tend to receive higher salaries.